Apple Seeds – August, 2006

Celebrating 15 Years in Business!

Since May, 1991

Have you seen the NEW list of Area Authors and Area Histories?  Impressive!  We added Jonathan Daniel Halverson (Into Eternity:  The Rise of Prophets), Harold Kosban (The Taming of Wild Rice), Jim Limburg (The Other woman – um, this is actually stories about Woman Lake), and of course there is Dr. Lund’s newest book (Europeans in North America).

We have Ernest Francis Schanilec’s latest suspense (Night Out in Fargo), the Longville Centennial Book and Ralph Mayer’s story of the Depression Era (Up The Crick) which takes place in Iowa and Northern Minnesota.  Then, remember to read Otto F. Ringle’s newest area historical fiction (The Paperboy).

Watch for more!

Is the Postmaster going to hand out “nerve” pills for those of us collecting our electric bills this month?  I’m not sure how much the cost is per hour for fans and air conditioners, but uff-dah it sure was hot in Northern Minnesota.

If you’re coming down from Dan Brown (Da Vinci Code) novels, we have Steve Berry!  The Romanov Prophecy is one of his novels, as are The Amber Room, The Third Secret and The Templar Legacy.  Berry apparently does not have a website—anyway I couldn’t find one.

Terry Goodkind’s science fiction Sword of Truth books have been optioned for a TV mini-series.  There are ten novels already in print, with the eleventh scheduled for release in 2008.  No dates were listed for the mini-series, but it looks promising as Goodkind never before agreed to send his works to the screen.

Love this RT ad:  “Come for the drinks.  Stay for a bite.  Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, by Marta Acosta.”  (Picture a couple of fangs draped on the inside of a margarita glass!)

For those of you reading Paranormal Romances in the past, look for more in the future.  I’ve been receiving lots of ads about Time-Travels, Werewolves (& Werecreatures), Vampires, Shape-Shifters and Space Aliens.  Some publishing companies are still calling these romances “New Age”.  Go figure.

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We had another well-known, award-winning writer in the store—as a customer!  I asked romance author Linda Turner the ultimate stupid question, “Are you really her?”  Geez.

            Before I knew who was who, her husband asked me where the Linda Turner books were, and this well-informed (!) bookstore owner replied, “She hasn’t written for quite a while.”  Thank heaven I found a book for her to autograph.  (I have a whole box full at home.)  Ms. Turner said about three years ago she was in a Home Depot when a pipe fell off some high shelving and did a number on her head.  After being in intensive therapy all this time, she has just signed a contract for more books!  Blessings.

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Sure that you have an award-winning romance?  Check back into the July 2006 Romantic Times BookClub Magazine (RT) and read through the list of “Reviewers’ Choice Award Winners”.  You just might have been right after all!

I didn’t have time to get the July Newsletter done.  And, when I started to do a July/August news, my fingers did too much walking and—fffttt—it disappeared.  So, somewhere in the dark bowels of my hard drive, there lurks a lost folder.  It’s like living with a ghost; all the little unseen words eyeballing me whenever I hit the Start button.

The August RT, despite a cover mommies are telling me not to display on the counter, does have some great author interviews:  Sandra Brown (with her latest suspense), Kathy Reichs (on her new book and the TV show “Bones”) and Robin Cook (this still active doctor adds another novel to his list of 26).

The “Quips and Queries Fan Forum” of RT mentions the high prices of books found on internet sales of deceased author, Roberta Latow.  Your husband may no longer laugh at your reading material when you tell him you have a paperback worth $177.92.

Janet Evanovich’s uncanny humor has created a run on humorous mysteries and romances.  However, readers of Sandra Hill claim she is the one with the romance-laugh-out-loud books.  (Hill’s books are hard to find on our shelves, as they seem to be passed back and forth between friendly readers.)  By the way, since Janet Evanovich is so cute, why does she have that “Donald Trump” hairdo?

P.J. Tracy:  The Minnesota/California mother/daughter writing team of the “Monkeywrench” crew, has a new novel out this month.  “Snow Blind” is in hardcover.

Romance writer, Walker’s own Lois Templin appears on page 123 of the August RT, in a picture of the American Title II finalists.  Lois did not win the title, but being chosen as one of eleven nationwide was a super honor.  She now has an agent, and is busy writing.

On Demand Books (ODB):  Closer to reality.  Earlier problems of lawsuits, royalties, etc., are supposedly being worked out for the “Espresso Book Machine” which can print a four-color cover and the 300-page book—and bind it—in three minutes.  Cost to own:  Not cheap!  InstaBook is another being used & improved.

Prose Writing Group:  Some members have been published!  Encouraging!  Not everyone in the group wants to write the Great American Novel, but having something accepted by area newspapers and a magazine is a wonderful achievement—as is completing an article for the group to critique.

Hmmmmm.  Avon & HarperTorch mass market paperbacks have done something unique:  A “premium initiative” was offered with the sale of the “premium format” paperback (larger paperback, at $9.99) of Phillip Margolin’s Lost Lake for a “premium plus” initiative.  When the book was released in May, buyers could register online for a free copy of a hardcover pick of the month.  Great bonus, if you understood all those “premium” thingies.

Remember to purchase Smyth Companies Cookbook through the month of August for the benefit of 7-year-old Brady Brueland’s family’s medical and travel expenses.  This little boy is now undergoing treatment for an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor at Mayo.  Prayers are also needed, please.

Saying “Hello” to our Prof. Bill.  Thanks for keeping us informed by your “word of the day” and the “did-you-know” surprises.

Love reading Robert B. Parker’s “Jessie Stone” novels.  Maybe it’s because Tom Selleck portrays Stone in the made-for-TV movies!  (Parker’s “Spenser” novels are great too, as we all remember Robert Urich.)  The latest Stone novel, Blue Screen, is now out in hardcover.

Am anxious to read Clive & Dirk Cussler’s latest—Black Wind, as well as James Rollins’ Map of Bones.  That means that I’d really like you to bring the books into the store!  Please!

Gotta go…bye for now…